Resort wine list done competently, nothing more
Grande Dunes / Marina Inn · Myrtle Beach · Fine Dining / Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Waterscapes at Marina Inn’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Waterscapes reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished resort dining room on the Grand Strand — familiar names, safe bets, nothing that makes you lean forward in your chair. It's competent, it's clean, and it's priced for people who are already splurging on a marina-view table and won't scrutinize the markup.
The 75-to-120-bottle list leans hard on California's greatest hits — Napa, Sonoma, the usual suspects — with a nod toward Burgundy and Tuscany that never gets truly adventurous. You'll find Jordan, Duckhorn, and Sonoma-Cutrer doing the heavy lifting, which tells you everything: this list was built to satisfy a broad, brand-conscious crowd, not to surprise anyone. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc makes its obligatory coastal appearance via Whitehaven, which at least is a solid producer. What's missing is any real depth — no grower Champagne, no interesting Italian outliers, no natural wine curiosity — just a perfectly curated playlist of wines you've already heard.
The by-the-glass program runs 10 to 16 options, which is a reasonable spread for this format. Expect the pour list to mirror the bottle list's greatest-hits philosophy — Meiomi Pinot Noir will absolutely be on there, which is fine for a beach crowd but not exactly a flex. There's no evidence of meaningful rotation or a house program built around discovery.
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc — null
No price data available, but Whitehaven is one of the better-value producers in Marlborough — it's the pick here because it's the wine most likely to be marked up the least aggressively and it genuinely works with the local seafood. If you're ordering fish or shrimp, this is your move.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay
Most people see Chardonnay on a resort list and reach for something else out of reflex, but Russian River Ranches is a legitimately well-made wine with real tension and fruit restraint. In a sea of crowd-pleaser pours, this one actually has something to say.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a mass-market brand engineered for sweetness and broad appeal — it's widely available at retail for around $15 and will almost certainly be marked up to $45 or more here. There's no reason to spend resort money on a grocery store staple.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay + Local shrimp preparation
The wine's coastal Sonoma acidity and restrained oak cut through the richness of a butter-finished shrimp dish without stepping on the seafood. It's the most regionally coherent pairing on the list.
The Bottom Line
Waterscapes is a perfectly acceptable place to drink wine if you're already staying at the Marina Inn — it won't hurt you, but it won't thrill you either. If wine is a priority on your Myrtle Beach night out, temper expectations and stick to the white end of the list.
· Myrtle Beach · Steak & Seafood Wine Bar
Notte del Vino is the wine bar Myrtle Beach didn't know it needed — a short, deliberate list with real European bones and fair prices that suggest someone is paying actual attention. Send a friend here, and tell them to start with the Dezat.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Myrtle Beach · Bottle shop with bar
This is a convenience stop, not a wine destination — grab a bottle for the beach and keep your expectations at ankle height. If you're looking for anything that requires thought or care, keep driving.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Myrtle Beach · Steak & Seafood
SOHO is a solid beach steakhouse wine list — fair prices, plenty of glass options, nothing offensive and nothing exciting. If you're in Myrtle Beach and want a decent glass with your dinner without overthinking it, this gets the job done.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Arcadian Shores / Restaurant Row · Myrtle Beach · Italian
Crave punches above its Myrtle Beach zip code on the Italian side of the list, but the markups are beach-town steep and the by-the-glass program needs more ambition. If you're here, dig into the Italian bottles and leave the California brand parade alone.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Coastal Grand Mall area · Myrtle Beach · Mexican
Abuelo's wine program is an afterthought dressed up as a wine list — four California bottles, grocery-store-level selection, and markups that don't reward curiosity. Order a margarita and don't look back.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Myrtle Beach / Restaurant Row · Myrtle Beach · Brazilian steakhouse / churrascaria
Rioz is a genuinely fun place to eat — the meat service is relentless and the energy is high — but the wine program is an afterthought in a room that deserves better. Order the Malbec, enjoy the picanha, and don't come here expecting anything from the wine list.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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